Charter Review Committee backs ballot measure to make North Tonawanda city attorney an appointed post

The Charter Review Committee unanimously voted on June 18, 2026, to advance a proposition for the November 2026 ballot that would change North Tonawanda’s City Attorney from an elected position to one appointed by the mayor with confirmation by City Council. The committee recorded the decision after discussing the legal and fiscal implications of the current arrangement.

The committee noted three specific concerns driving the recommendation. Committee members agreed that “North Tonawanda is the only municipality in New York State that continues to have the City Attorney as an elected office.” They also cited that the current model has required the city to hire consultants to perform City Attorney duties, creating additional costs, and that the elected model can present potential conflicts of interest. Kate Wistner was assigned to update the spreadsheet with proposed charter language reflecting the appointment-and-confirmation process.

Committee member Susan Gosch formally moved to proceed with the recommendation; the motion was seconded by Kate Wistner and passed unanimously. The committee’s action advances the proposed language to whatever next procedural step the council or charter process requires for placement on the November 2026 ballot. The minutes do not specify a draft ordinance text or an effective date for any change; those details were left to the follow-up work on the updated spreadsheet and subsequent review steps.